Space Food Safety Technologist I

At Vast, our mission is to contribute to a future where billions of people are living and thriving in space. We are building artificial gravity space stations, allowing long-term stays in space without the adverse effects of zero-gravity. Our initial crewed space habitat will be Haven-1, scheduled to be the world's first commercial space station when it launches into low-Earth orbit in 2026. It is part of our stepping stone approach to continuous human presence in LEO. Our team is all-in, committed to executing our mission safely and on time. If you want to work with the most talented people on Earth furthering space exploration for humanity, come join us.

Vast is looking for a Space Food Safety Technologist I, reporting to the Space Food Safety Supervisor, to support the development of the systems that will be required for the design and build of artificial-gravity human-rated space stations.

This will be a full-time, exempt position located in our Long Beach location.

Responsibilities:

• Conduct routine inspections and quality tests on raw materials, in-process production, and finished products to ensure they meet quality standards and regulatory requirements.
• Maintain accurate records of all quality testing, inspections, and findings. This includes documenting deviations from standards and corrective actions taken.
• Collect samples of raw materials, packaging components, and finished products for testing according to established procedures and protocols. Perform internal physical, chemical, and microbiological tests as required, and coordinate with external laboratories for 3rd party testing.
• Calibrate and maintain laboratory equipment and instruments used for quality testing to ensure accuracy and reliability of results.
• Assist with internal and external audits and inspections by regulatory agencies and customers. Ensure readiness and compliance during audits.
• Implement and maintain HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points) principles and food safety programs to ensure the safety and integrity of food products.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to address quality-related issues and drive quality improvements.
• Investigate quality issues, customer complaints, and non-conformances to determine root causes. Implement corrective and preventive actions to prevent recurrence.
• Assist with and support product evaluation, working cross-functionally with other team members as needed.

Minimum Qualifications:

• 3-5 years minimum of previous experience in a food safety or quality assurance environment OR Bachelor of Science degree in Food Science, Food Safety, Microbiology, Biology, Chemistry, or related field
• Experience with aseptic processing, or similar high sanitary requirement food category

Preferred Skills & Experience:

• Experience with food safety within the aerospace industry
• Knowledge of food safety QMS systems and documentation
• Ability to create and update request for proposals (RFPs), purchase orders (POs) and facilities work orders in an enterprise resource planning (ERP) software
• Ability to work effectively in a team environment
• Ability to make independent judgments with limited information
• Communication skills for relaying data (verbally and in-writing) between other employees, vendors, and customers
• Logical and strategic approach to solving problems
• Ability to read and understand basic floor plans
• Comfortable working in a high-stress environment balancing several projects at any given time, and the flexibility to adjust for abrupt changes in strategic direction.

Additional Requirements:

• Ability to travel up to 20% of the time
• Willingness to work overtime, or weekends to support critical mission milestones
• Ability to lift up to 25lbs unassisted
• Specific certifications, as appropriate (PCQI, HACCP Course Certification, SQF Practitioner)

Pay Range: California

$84,280-$108,780 USD

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

Base salary will vary depending on job-related knowledge, education, skills, experience, business needs, and market demand. Salary is just one component of our comprehensive compensation package. Full-time employees also receive company equity, as well as access to a full suite of compelling benefits and perks, including: 100% medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees and dependents, flexible paid time off for exempt staff and up to 10 days of vacation for non-exempt staff, paid parental leave, short and long-term disability insurance, life insurance, access to a 401(k) retirement plan, One Medical membership, ClassPass credits, personalized mental healthcare through Spring Health, and other discounts and perks. We also take pride in offering exceptional food perks, with snacks, drip coffee, cold drinks, and dinner meals remaining free of charge, and lunch subsidized as part of Vast's ongoing commitment to providing high-quality meals for employees.

U.S. EXPORT CONTROL COMPLIANCE STATUS

The person hired will have access to information and items subject to U.S. export controls, and therefore, must either be a "U.S. person" as defined by 22 C.F.R. § 120.62 or otherwise eligible for deemed export licensing. This status includes U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, lawful permanent residents (green card holders), and asylees and refugees with such status granted, not pending.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY

Vast is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with Vast is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.